Pep Guardiola has expressed his confidence in Erling Haaland to revive Manchester City's momentum, while not ruling out recruits during the January transfer window.
City are going through a difficult period, unprecedented in Guardiola's brilliant coaching career, with eight defeats and just one victory in their last 11 matches in all competitions.
In the midst of a results crisis, Erling Haaland, usually prolific, seems to have lost his effectiveness in front of goal. The Norwegian striker, often isolated and deprived of opportunities, has scored just one goal in his last five appearances.
No tactical change
Despite this lack of performance, Guardiola refuses to change his tactical approach and abandon the false nine system which has already brought him a lot of success.
“I prefer to play with Erling,” Guardiola said ahead of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa. “I never considered not playing him – absolutely not. No, no, that didn't cross my mind.
“I always used false nines based on the specific quality of players I had at the time. “In some one-on-one matches I love playing with false nines, but I have Erling, I have to adapt.
“I find him in good shape, I see him well. If his effectiveness is perhaps less in this situation, it is because of the way we are playing, because we are not creating as many chances as before.
“When he is surrounded by two, three or four central defenders, it is not easy for him. We have to play better to create spaces for him. »
A transfer in January?
Manchester City rarely venture into the transfer market in January under Guardiola, who has been in charge for eight years, but he admits an exception could be made this year. However, Guardiola insists the club are not considering temporary signings.
He said: “We discussed the possibility of doing something. If it's in winter, it's because we really need it or because we really find something – but not just for four or five months.
“We’ll see. I don't know how many times we've been to the winter market in recent years – maybe just for Aymeric Laporte seven years ago.
“We're not big fans of that, but the circumstances of this season are special. We have to see if it's possible, otherwise we'll wait until summer.
“In winter, it’s more difficult. Teams don't want to sell and players are very expensive. »
115 accusations
A further complicating factor for City could be the 115 alleged charges of breaches of Premier League financial regulations facing the club. Guardiola does not know if this could affect recruitment.
The club, which denies any wrongdoing, is awaiting the results of a hearing into the accusations early next year.
Guardiola concluded: “I don’t know what will happen. I know people are waiting for this, but I don't know, except that it should happen in February or March. »
